Danny Cipriani looks set to return to England after reportedly putting pen to paper on a three-year deal with the Sale Sharks.

The exiled England fly-half is about to begin his second season in Super Rugby with the Melbourne Rebels when they kick off their campaign on Friday week. And reports in The Daily Telegraph claim that the seven-cap half-back's representatives have agreed terms with the Sharks with a view to Cipriani arriving later in the summer.

Even if the Rebels - complete with James O'Connor and Kurtley Beale - qualify for the playoff stage of this season's Super Rugby, Cipriani would be free to return to England in the early part of August allowing him a few weeks to adjust before the start of the 2012-13 Aviva Premiership season.

Cipriani, however, has to get through another season of Super Rugby without incident after his first foray into the southern hemisphere tournament was laced with off-field strife. However, upon arrival back in England, Cipriani will hope to add to his tally of seven England caps after previously stating his availability to interim coach Stuart Lancaster.